The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-15

relieving us was made by the towns of Deering
nd Westbrook.
The legislature by meagre majority, after
notable contest indefinitely postponed decision,
which leads us to infer another attempt would
be more successful. AS no reason exists why
we should support these bridges, except a leg
islative act imposed more than one hundred
years ago which may properly be repealed at
any time, l would recommend that Portland
petition each succeeding Legislature to be re-
lieved Of this liability, until our city shall be
treated in this respect upon equal terms with
other cities and towns in this State.
The legislature also decided adversely to
Strengthening the boundary line between Port
land and Deering. The small section Of ter
ritory proposed to be annexed by such change
Of line is, practically, a part of Portland; it
was hoped it might become. legally, so. Its
residents having, for many years. enjoyed our
post office facilities. schools, street lighting
fire protection, &c., petitioned, by majority
of voters and three fourths of the property
comprised in the district. to be brought fully
under our remaining municipal advantages,
but their petition was dsregarded. Perhaps
the time is not yet ripe for such annexation.
Certainly the interests of the citizens of
Portland and Deering are identical, and trust
the date is not far distant when the two COM
munities shall be united under one name, and
share together the advantages of municipal
government.
HAsTPoRr FIRE.
The terrible calamity which visited this
frontier town furnished another opportunity to
our citizens to prove their generosity and, at
the same time, manifest their gratitude for the
princely donations received under similar
circumstances.
Nobly did they respond to the occasion.
More than ten thousand dollars were raised in
supplies and money, and forwarded to the suf-
ferers, for which most grateful acknowledge
ments were returned.
BACK BAY COMMISSION.
In order to relieve our city of the Back bay
nuisance two things seem necessary; first,
that the flats should be filed out to and in
Guiding the projected marginal way, and Sec
ond, that the channel of the bay should be
excavated to sufficient depth to contain body
of navigable water at low tide. Fortunately
our necessities lie identically in line with the
demands of commerce, which require ship
channel in Back bay for commercial
purposes. By petition of the city
council to the general government
in conjunction with the recommendation
of the United States engineer in charge, our
representative succeeded in obtaining an appro-
priation of $4,000 for widening and deepen
ing the channel in Back cove; and in view of
the general improvements about to take place
| there, it was deemed wise to provide for the
! establishment of commission to utilize for
the city any advantages that might arise in
connection with such improvements and to
exercise, in behalf Of the city, general watch
fulness and oversight over her interests in that
| direction.
Accordingly special act has been procured
! from the legislature establishing such COM
mission. By the terms of this act all the rights
vested in the State to the flats in Back bay and
Fore river are coded to the city. These flats
in Back bay comprise an area Of about one
hundred acres. and, being for the most part
outside the channel furnish abundant ground
for dredging wherein compensation can be
| given for such displacement of water as will be
occasioned by filing inside the marginal way.
| Thus the equivalent of water will be main
tanned while the double object is accomplished
| of covering with solid earth the sewer deposits
| of previous years and of excavatng channel
| for commercial uses.
A most important provision Of this act ena-
| bles the commissioners to designate the dump
ing ground, subject to the approval of the
United States engineer, where contractors,
dredging in our harbor, shall deposit their ex-
cavations. By means of this provision such
material as is suitable, can be devoted TO filling
! llC udlS luStcdu VI DciilS COuNCycQ Oub u Qccp
water as heretofore and deposited.
The commission is also authorized to con-
denim flats and take the same for public pur
poses. This power, while not intended TO
infringe upon the rights of private ownership,
will nevertheless enable them, if deemed expe-
dent, TO regulate or remove any obstacle
standing in the way of the public health or
benefit. As soon as the commission is organ
lied and at work, it is confidently hoped that
that portion of our city which has been a
source of discomfort and complaint will soon
be converted into a healthful and thriving
locality.
EXTENSION OF NEW HIGH STREET.
The extension of New High street from
| Portland street to Green street near behring's
bridge, would be decided benefit to the Oaks,
and hasten the development of the north side of
the city. Such an improvement would proba-
bly, necessitate the purchase of the pork pack
ing establishment and tannery in the line of
the proposed route, but their removal would
not only advance the value of surrounding
| property but, also, eradicate the cause of
much foul odor attributed to Back bay. The
| proposed extension would render all the lots
| adjacent to the Oaks desirable fer residences |;
in view of all of the advantages arising. it is to
hoped that some plan for its execution can be
| carried out.
PORTLAND AS SUMNER RESORT.
Due encouragement should be given to such
| projects as will bring Portland and vicinity
into prominent favor as place of summer re-
sort. Undoubtedly there is no locality
offering superior natural advantages in this
respect to our own, with its wholesome sum-
mer breezes, picturesque islands, charming
suburban drives, and numerous accessible
| points Of interest.
But it is our duty as well as our privilege to
supplement natural attractions with the added
improvements of mans art.
| Our islands from their accessibility, and de-
sirableness for summer homes, are growing
| factor in the citys resources.
| During the months Of recreation their popu-
lation is multiplied alike by our citizens, and
strangers who contribute to our common pros
| perity. Considering the investments being
made there, it seems highly important that
complete surveys should be had of their terri
tory, by means of which streets can be laid
out systematically and development proceed
with some regard to the laws of symmetry.
Private enterprise should also provide en-
| larged facilities for the entertainment of Wis
| itors, and their convenient transportation to
and from island and sea shore.
When we fully avail ourselves of our oppor-
tunities, we may confidently look for such an
| increase of summer residents as shall enliven
our summer months; infusing new life into the
otherwise languid trade of that season, and
dotting our bay and coasts with beautiful cot
tages in unmistakable token of their healthful-
ness and charm.
PETITIONS OF CORPORATIONS.
1t may not be amiss to state some inn
portant matters, touching corporations, that
| will require your action the coming year.
The Portland Sprinkling company viii ask
| permission to lay its pipes for carrying salt
| water to both extremities of the city.
| Such grant will enable them, they say, to en-
large the field of their operations without ex-
cessive cost to customers, and in a measure re-
| lieve the streets from heavy teaming.
The tracks Of the Portland Railroad company
will be laid under your direction over the
routes recently granted them, and this COM
| pany will further ask permission for double
track through Congress street, from State
| street to the Maine Central station.
The construction of the Union depot may
compel that corporation to ask radical changes
in street grades near the point of location.
The Portland and Rochester railroad petit
toned the last legislature to change its location
so as to run from junction with the Grand
Trunk road beyond Washington street, to q
connection with the Maine Central near the
A..